Protector: Blood Moon Rising, #2

By Lola Taylor

If there’s one thing Nik Johnson can’t stand, it’s the thought of finding his mate. Which, apparently, he’ll have to do soon, since his mating Fever has finally arrived. With his thoughts still hung up on his former lover, he’s given up the hope of ever finding a love that perfect again. Until he meets Alara….

Alara Crescent has had anything but a charmed life, despite her family’s status as high family within the werewolf world. Ridiculed constantly for her weight by her cruel mother and father, she’s beginning to wonder if she’ll ever be accepted for who she truly is. Then one fateful encounter delivers her right into the arms of the man she’s destined to have.

When someone starts assassinating the royal family, Nik takes it upon himself to protect the woman he’s marked—a woman who would as soon bite him as love him. Despite their prejudices, can the two of them find true love before the Blood Moon rises?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lola Taylor
• Release date: Oct 27, 2016
• ISBN: 9781498957335

Book preview

If there’s one thing Nik Johnson can’t stand, it’s the thought of finding his mate. Which, apparently, he’ll have to do soon, since his mating Fever has finally arrived. With his thoughts still hung up on his former lover, he’s given up the hope of ever finding a love that perfect again. Until he meets Alara….

Alara Crescent has had anything but a charmed life, despite her family’s status as high family within the werewolf world. Ridiculed constantly for her weight by her cruel mother and father, she’s beginning to wonder if she’ll ever be accepted for who she truly is. Then one fateful encounter delivers her right into the arms of the man she’s destined to have.

When someone starts assassinating the royal family, Nik takes it upon himself to protect the woman he’s marked—a woman who would as soon bite him as love him. Despite their prejudices, can the two of them find true love before the Blood Moon rises?

Protector

First Edition © 2014 Lola Taylor

Fourth Edition © 2016 Lola Taylor

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Cover designed by Kitten of Deranged Doctor Design

Interior design and formatting by Champagne Formats

Editing by Jen of Mistress Editing

Indigo Dreamer Press logo designed by Indi99o of 99designs

Author photograph by Sara Rogers Photography

www.lolataylorbooks.com

www.indigodreamerpress.com

Table of Contents

TITLE PAGE

SYNOPSIS

COPYRIGHT

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

OTHER BOOKS BY LOLA TAYLOR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fall needed to slow the hell down. Nik Johnson couldn’t believe it had already been three weeks since he, his brother, and the young werewolf Jason had fought Onyx for Danica’s life. Things had been eerily peaceful since.

And if life had taught Nik anything, it was that peace never lasted for long.

He gripped the steering wheel of the Honda Odyssey, his jaw clenching. They’d had no more leads on Mistress Black since the incident. Not even the DPI was able to uncover anything. Nik suspected the witch mafia had gone dark to cover their tracks. Smart move. He would’ve done the same in their shoes.

It still wouldn’t stop him ripping their throats out with his jaws when the time came.

You thinking about the mafia again? came Gage’s voice in his head.

Nik glanced in the rearview mirror, catching his younger brother’s worried eyes. Reading minds now, Your Highness?

Gage’s jaw ticked as it always did at the mention of his formal title. Nik liked to dig it in just for shits and giggles. Something will turn up. That’s one of the reasons we’re going to this summit.

We’re going because we have no other choice. It’s not like we can ignore a summons from the High King, Nik said, scowling. And I’m only going to bail your ass out of trouble.

Who says I’m looking for trouble?

We’re Johnson brothers. Since when does trouble not come find us?

Gage grinned. Point made.

What are you two talking about? came Danica’s voice. The lovely blonde looked more luminous than ever now that she was nearing her first Change. Nik could tell Gage was anxious; he hadn’t taken his hand off her thigh since they got in the car and started driving over an hour ago. The champagne-colored ball gown she wore flared at the hips slightly, the taffeta skirt inlaid with silver beading and glittering green vines that matched the hue of her startling eyes. Her swirling, dark-blue Mark shimmered down her arms and along her chest and upper back. She was radiant. Nik couldn’t be more proud of her, of the queen she’d become.

Nothing, lil sis, Nik assured her. Just telling my baby brother how dazzling the two of you look together. Gage’s tux and dark hair complemented Danica’s lighter look, like light and darkness.

Danica giggled. Nik enjoyed making her smile. She’d been through so much. I’m sure, tiger.

Jason put down his Nintendo 3DS and turned around in his seat beside Nik. Man, am I missing out on a wolf conversation again? In the tux, he looked a lot younger than he was, like he was going to prom and not a summit for all the packmasters.

Don’t worry, Gage said, winking at him. You didn’t miss out on anything too exciting. Just more of Nik’s brooding.

"I am not brooding, Nik said. I’m just thinking about how much I’m going to dread seeing this lot of egotistical, pompous assholes."

Danica pouted. We’re not egotistical.

Don’t worry, love, Nik said. You’re the only royals I can stand.

Hey, look on the bright side, Gage said, slapping him on the shoulder. Maybe you’ll find your mate. I know your Fever hasn’t come yet, but you never can tell.

Nik swallowed hard, pasting on a devil-may-care smile. I think our boy Jason here has a better chance at finding a mate than I do. How’s that Fever treating you? Had any more wet dreams?

Jason’s Fever had come full-force at the beginning of the month. His face heated and he flipped them the bird, which only made Nik and Gage snicker. Jason’s reaction only reminded Nik of how young and inexperienced with women the pup was, despite his ranking within the pack. After defeating Onyx, Gage had officially promoted Nik as his Beta and Jason as his Delta. Jason may not be the strongest were in the pack, but he was far more courageous and loyal than those other sons of bitches they called packmates.

Gage sat back, talking quietly with his mate. He tenderly brushed a blond curl from her face, and she giggled, kissing him.

Nik smiled sadly and focused on the open road, on the late afternoon sunshine warming his face, on anything but finding his mate. Truth was, his Fever had come at the start of the month too—he just hadn’t told Gage. His chest tightened. Gage and he shared everything, but this was the one thing he wouldn’t understand. He didn’t know what it was like to have burned with love for someone so deeply it reached your core, only to have them torn away from you because it wasn’t what was written in the werewolf laws. He and Verika, no matter how perfect, were never meant to be.

And that knowledge killed a little bit more of him every day whenever he thought of her smile or her red hair. Nik didn’t care what the damn Fever said—whomever he marked would never be Verika. Nik knew, if he were being honest with himself, that was another reason he hadn’t told Gage about getting his Fever. He didn’t want Gage pressuring him into finding a mate, which he knew he would be inclined to do now that he’d found his. Nik had been dreading this moment ever since he and Verika broke up. He was tempted to not even try and just let the Blood Moon come and go, cursing him with the inability to ever fall in love again. That was a lovely little spin the bitch of a witch who created the Curse of the Moon decided to throw in.

Whoa, Danica said, sitting up and pointing. Is that it? The High King’s castle?

Castle Crescent, Gage said, eyeing the fifteenth-century replica, complete with turrets and torches. He had it brought over from Scotland, stone by stone, and rebuilt here.

It’s beautiful, Danica said, then she smiled. You guys have a thing for naming places after the moon, don’t you?

Gage shrugged. The night is in our blood, though we can shift at any time.

Nik drummed his fingers along the steering wheel. He was almost grateful to see the sprawling castle. A party meant booze, and he was in dire need of a drink right about now.

He pulled into the drive, past rows of pruned rosebushes, and drove to the front of the castle, where a veritable drawbridge sat. Traffic moved along steadily as more werewolves arrived for the gathering, and Nik parked up front. Valets opened their doors, and Nik handed one the keys.

Wow, Danica said, her arm looped through her mate’s as they walked across the drawbridge. This is incredible. She peered over the side into the stream flowing past.

Don’t worry, Nik said with a wink. No alligators. Only koi.

Butlers decked out in tuxedos and wearing the golden crescent-shaped pin of the House of Crescent, the ruling werewolf family, handed out champagne flutes at the door as guests entered the foyer.

It had been a long time since Nik had been to Castle Crescent. Despite his reservations about the people who lived here, he had to admit the place was pretty cool. It was just like stepping back in time and entering a medieval castle. All the architecture had been restored. Frescoes of the heavens, with skies swirling with angels at war, dominated the ceilings. Grand iron chandeliers set with electric candles hung from the ceiling, though torches and candelabra lit with real fire dotted the walls. Tapestries that cost more money than Crescent Manor’s mortgage hung along the walls, and indigo banners bearing the House Crescent coat of arms—a crescent moon, a sword, and a rose—hung from the wooden rafters. The air smelled of roses, enormous vases of which lined the room. People dressed in gowns of silk and tuxedos stood about the room, making polite conversation. From the grand ballroom beyond, Nik could see dancers twirling away to the lilting waltz provided by the live orchestra.

The high family sure didn’t spare any expense at these things. It seemed like such a waste of money, all the packmasters